Motion picture theater and apparatus therefor



Feb. 12, 1935. o. A. ROSS MOTION PICTURE THEATER AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Sept. 18, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 bl\\\\ \\\\\Y INVENTOR O. A. ROSS Feb. 12, 1935.

MOTION PICTURE THEATER A'ND APgARATus THEREFOR Filed Sept. 18, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3.

' mmvrox Patented Feb. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTION PICTURE THEATER AND APPA- RATUS THEREFOR 29 Claims.

This invention relates to audible motion picture reproduction, or exhibition, and more particularly to that form of audible motion picture reproduction known as talking movies as more generally exh bited in motion picture threaters.

One objectof .this invention is to more suitably locate the loud speakers whereby the sound properly associated with the action of the scene presented on the screen actually appearsto originate therein.

Another object is to incorporate loud speakers as part of the screen structure whereby said speakers are raised and lowered as the screen is raised and lowered, whereby the visible portion of the stage is cleared for presentations other than the exhibition of the talking motion picture.

Another object is to furnish novel means of elevating a combined screen and loud speaker unit including the conductors supplying the energy to the speakers and further novelly secure the conductors to the unit.

Another object is to novelly allocate the loud speakers furnishing the incidental music to a motion picture or other exhibition whereby the music appears to originate in the orchestra pit,

beneath the motion picture screen.

Another object is to furnish a novel form of control apparatus whereby the light valves supplying the sound to each loud speaker may be positioned whereby one or more speaker groups will selectively reproduce the sound from each sound track of a multi-track fllm, or all the speaker groups will jointly reproduce the sound from a selected 'sound track on said film.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description of the invention progresses, and the novel feature of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

This invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, delineated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in that portion of this instrument wherein patentable ,novelty is claimed for certain and peculiar features of the system, it being understood that, within the scope of what hereinafter thus is claimed,

divers changes in the form, proportions, size erence, designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:--

Figure 1 is a part sectinal view of a theater building to which applicant's invention has been applied, taken on line 11 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 2 is a part plan view of the same taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view of part of the control apparatus taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 4, and Fig. 4 isanother sectional view of the same taken on line 44 of Fig.5, and Fig. 5 is another sectional view of the same taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, theater building 1, comprises in part stage 2, orchestra pit 3, orchestra section 4, having seats 5, and ex- 16 hibition booth 6 having one or more motion picture projectors 7.

Screen unit 8 comprises screen 9 having exhibition face 10 arranged to receive motion pictures from projector 7. To the upper edge of 20 screen 9 is secured plate member 12 supporting bearing bracket 1313 arranged to rotatably support screw members 1414 having cranks 15-15, the rotation of which moves threaded eye bolt members 1616 forwardly or rearward- 25 ly depending upon which direction said crank is rotated. To each eye bolt member 16 is secured a cable 17 passing over a pulley 18 to'apparatus of known form for raising and lowering screen unit 8.

Also secured to the rear face 19 of screen unit 8, is shelf member 20, brace members 21- 21, acting to rigidly tie members 12 and together. Secured to shelf member 20 are loud speakers 22 and 24, the horn openings 23-23 85 of which may be arranged to face the rear face of screen 9 for directing the sound forwardly thereof, the'surface of said screen acting as a retransmitter of the sound produced by said speakers. The conductors 72 and 73 from 40 speakers 22-24 are preferably formed into a single cable 25 secured to eyelet 26 by flexible member 27, said cable extending upwardly and over pulley 28, thence downwardly and around idler pulley 29, having weight 30 and thence upwardly again to plug connection 31. v

Arranged in vertical wall 35 of stage 2 is opening 36 having hinges 35a supporting hinged grating member 37 comprising frame 38 and grating 39. Secured to wall 35 preferably below opening 36 is shelf number 40 arranged to support loud speakers 41-41 having conductor cables 42- 42 preferably secured together to form a single cable 74.

Projector 7 in addition to having suitable ture film for the exhibitionthereof on screen 9, also comprises control unit 45, more fully hereinafter described, arranged to receive a sound record film 46 advanced by sprocket 47,

driven by the projector mechanism whereby the sound and action films are advanced to synchronize the presentation of the records thereon.

Unit comprises lamp housing 50, having slot 51, arranged to receive sound record film 46, tension shoes 52-52 actingto restrain said film against light slits 48-48. Formed on wall 54 of said housing'are grooves, or trackways 55-55, arranged to receive the light receiving end of light sensitive cells 56-56 normally restrained to seat in said trackways by springs 57-57 acting to frictionally allocate said sensitive cells to predetermined and variable positions byseatment in serrations as 58-58. Se

cured to light sensitive cells 56 are suitable studs 5959 having handles 60-60 arranged to pass through springs 57 and cover housing 61, said housing having slots 62-62 whereby said studs may bemoved longitudinally therein for positioning said light sensitive cells.

Also secured to lug 65 of light sensitive cells 56 are brackets 66-66 arranged to support a lamp or light source 67-67 arranged to project light onto the sound tracks 68-69 and 70 of film 46, a suitable light guard 71 having light slits 53-53 being interposed between said lamps and said film. Also secured to light sensitive cell unit 56 and arranged to transmit the energy impulses produced thereby are conductor cables 72, 73 and 74 arranged to slide in orifices -75 of housing 61. Also secured to light sensitive cell units 56-56 are indicators 72a each arranged to register with a sound track as 68, 69 or 70,- whereby said units may be properly registered therewith in grooves, as 55-55.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, when it is desired to present a talking motion picture exhibition the screen unit 8 is lowered as shown whereby the projector 7 may project motion pictures thereon. Simultaneously with the movement of the action film through projector 7, the sound film 46 is also advanced through control unit 45 by sprockets, as more fully described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 306,656 filed Sept. 18th, 1928, whereby the sound tracks are moved over light slit 53-53 thereby affect.- ing light sensitive cell units 56-56 whereby energy impulses are transmitted by cables 72, 73 and 74 to known amplifying devices and thence to the loud speakers, as 22, 24 and 42.

Sound track 68 of film 46 is assumed to effect reproduction of orchestral, or incidental accompanying music, to a motion picture presentation and therefore the cable 74 of light sensitive cell unit 56 shown to be afi'ected by sound track 68 is preferably connected to loud speakers 41-41 arranged to project sound-remote from .the screen unit 8.

Sound tracks 69 and 70 are assumed to effect reproduction of speaking voices or sounds synchronized to action presented'iby the motion picture film and therefore therconductor cables 72 and '73 connected to the light-sensitive cellin the action presented by said screen.

when the stage 2 is to be employed for presentations other than motion picture exhibitions,

the screen unit 8 is raised to the dotted position shown in Fig. 2, the speakers 22 and 24 and cable 74 automaticallyrising with said unit.

Whereas the light sensitive cell units 56 are each shown to be afiected by. a difierent track as 68, 69 and 70, unit 56 of track 68 may be moved to the right directly over unit 56 of track 69 whereby the sound produced by the loud speaker 22 will be augmented by sound of the same character emitted by loud speakers 41-41, and if desired the unit 56 shown as afiected by sound track 70 may also be moved to the left until it also is directly beneath units 56-56 of track 69 whereby all the speakers as 22, 24 and 41-41 will produce sound of similar character.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that sound record films as 46 may have a plurality of variably spaced sound tracks thereon and the light sensitive cell units as 56-56 may each be transversely positioned in grooves 55-55 whereby the selected sound track will properly a-fiect said unit for production of reproduced sound -as said film is advanced through film slot 54.

Whereas film 46 is shown as having three as 56, in control unit 45, a" greater or lesser number may be employed and variable positioning thereof in grooves as 55-55 as heretofore described, may be effected to permit proper registration of each unit with the track selected.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the vertical angle at which screen face 10 faces the audience, or-

projector 7,'may be varied by the variable posi tioning of eyebolt member 16 on screw member 14, a movement of said eyebolt member to the right on said screw causing the upper edge of screen unit 8 to move to the left and the lower edge to move to the right, in other words, the screen face 10 will be inclined downwardly, whereas if said eyebolt member is moved to the left on said screw the screen face will be inclined upwardly. It is obvious therefore that by rotation of cranks 15-15 screen unit 8 may be conveniently inclined vertically at will.

Whereas an idler pulley as 29 has been'shown to provide storage for cable 25, said cable may be wound onto a spring actuated drum arranged to coil said cable thereon as screen unit 8 is elevated, said drum having suitable collector rings and brushes bearingthereon for supplying the energy impulses to said cable.

What I claim'is:- I

1. In a mobile sound motion picture exhibition unit for motion picture theaters, a fabricated body member having a frame portion for supporting a motion picture screen and a loud speaker supporting portion joined thereto for supporting loud speakers, a, motion picture screen supported by the frame portion forwardly of the loud speaker supporting portion,

loud speakers having a sound reproducing device portion and a horn portion including a sound opening, the sound reproducing device portion being supported by the loud speaker supporting portion of the body member rearwardly of the screen and the horn portion being positioned rearwardly of the screen within the margins of the frame portion, the opening thereof facing the rearwardside of the screen adjacently thereto, and supporting members secured to the unit arranged to engage vertically moved elevating members for supporting the unit at predetermined and variable vertical positions.

2. In a sound motion picture theater, housed stage and auditorium chambers connected by a stage opening, a motion picture screen unit associated with the stage opening, a sound chamber having a wall portion forming a joint wall therebetween and the auditorium chamber, means in the joint wall portion for freely transmitting sound fromthe sound chamber to the auditorium chamber, loud speakers in the sound chamber arranged to direct reproduced sound through the sound transmitting means of the joint wall into the auditorium chamber, other loud speakers in the stage chamber for directing reproduced sound into the auditorium chamber, and a sound motion picture projector for projecting pictures onto the screen unit including means for rendering the speakers effective to reproduce sound.

3. In a mobile sound motion picture unit for sound motion picture theaters, a fabricated structure comprising a rectangular frame member for supporting a motion picturescreen, a loud speaker supporting member having portions joined to the frame member and another portion arranged to support a loud speaker, a motion picture screen supported by the frame member forwardly of the loud speaker supporting member, a loud speaker having a sound reproducing device and a horn portion including a sound opening the device being supported by the loud speaker supporting portion rearwardly of the screen and the horn portion being positioned rearwardly of the screen within the margins of the frame member, the sound opening thereof facing the rearward side of the screen adjacent thereto, and supporting member secured to the fabricated structure arranged to engage vertically moved elevating members for supporting the unit at predetermined and variable vertical positions.

4. In a sound motion picture theater, housed stage and auditorium chambers connected by a stage opening, a plurality of spaced groups of loud speakers arranged to direct reproduced sound into the auditorium chamber, at least one group being in the stage chamber, apparatus for producing a plurality of channels of reproduced sound, means for selectively connecting the sound channels to the speaker groups for effecting reproduction of selected reproduced sound records by each group, and means for indicating the selected speaker group connected to a channel and also indicating the particular channel to which the selected group is connected. 1

5. In a sound motion pictiire theater, housed stage and auditorium chambers connected by a stage opening, an auxiliary chamber formed rearwardly of the wall of the auditorium chamber, the portion of the wall of the auditorium chamber therebetween and the auxiliary chamber forming a joint wall for the chambers, means in the joint wall for freely transmitting sound therethrough, loud speakers in the auxiliary chamber having the horn openings thereof adjacently rearwardly of the joint wall for directing sound therethrough into the auditorium chamber, loud speakers in the stage opening for directing sound into the auditorium chamber, means for producing an energized channel of reproduced sound, and means for selectively chambers for directing sound through the joint wall portion to the auditorium chamber, loud speakers in the auxiliary chamber for directing reproduced sound into the auditorium chamber through the joint wall, loud speakers in the stage chamber for directing reproducedsound into the auditorium chamber through .the stage opening, sound motion picture apparatus for projecting'motion pictures onto a screen in the stage opening,. means associated therewith for producing a channel of reproduced sound, and means for selectively connecting the channel to the loud speakers of the stage chamber and the auxiliary chamber.

7. In a mobile sound motion picture exhibition unit for motion picture theaters, a fabricated body member having a frame portion for supporting a motion picture screen thereon and a loud speaker supporting portion joined thereto for supporting loud speakers, a motion picture screen supported by the frame portion forwardly of the loud speaker supporting, loud speakers having a-sound reproducing device portion and a horn portion including a sound opening, the sound reproducing device portion being fixedly supported by the loud-speaker supporting portion of the body member rearwardly of the screen and the horn portion being positioned rearwardly of the screen within the margins of the frame portion, the sound opening thereof facing the rearward side of the screen adjacentlythereto, and supporting members adjustably secured to the body member arranged to engage vertically moved elevating members for supporting the unit at predetermined and variable fixed vertical positions.

8. In a portable sound motion picture'exhibition unit arranged to be elevated and lowered over a stage, a body member supporting a screen and loud speakers, an energy supply conductor having the energy receiving end fixed and the energy delivery end thereof connected to the speakers on the unit, devices secured to the body member for receiving elevating members for suspending the unit at predetermined and variable stationary position over the stage, and other devices for securing the energy delivering end of the conductor to the body member independently of the connection thereof to the speakers whereby any tension on the conductor between the ends thereof will not be transmitted to the point including a motion picture screen and loud speakers supported thereby and movable therewith, means in the upper portion of the stage chamber for suspending the unit rearwardly of the stage opening during sound motion picture exhibition including means for elevating the unit ing ofthe unit independently of the elevatingmeans.

10. In a sound motion picture theater, housed stage and auditorium chambers connected by a stage opening in the lower portion thereof, a

" plurality of spaced groups of loud speakers arranged to direct reproduced sound into the auditorium chamber, at least one of the groups being in the stage chamber, a motion picture screen in the stage chamber, sound motion picture project-ion' apparatus including means for projecting motion pictures onto the screen and means for producing a plurality of channels of reproduced sound, means for selectively connecting the loud speaker groups to the sound reproducing channels for efiecting reproduction of selected sound record by each group, and means for indicating the loud speaker group to which each of the selected channels is connected.

11. In a sound motion picture theater, housed stage and auditorium chambers connected by a stage opening in the lower portions thereof, a

. plurality of spaced groups of loud speakers armotion pictures onto the screen ranged to direct reproduced sound into the auditoriumchamber, at least one of the groups being in the stage chamber, a motion picture screen in the stage chamber, sound motion picture projection apparatus including means for projecting and means for producing a plurality of channels of reproduced sound, and means for selectively connecting the loud speaker groups to the sound reproducing channels for effecting reproduction of selected sound records by each group.

12. In a sound motion picture theater, housed stage and auditorium chambers connected by a stage opening in the lower portion thereof, a movable sound motion picture exhibition unit comprising a body member supporting a motion picture screen and a group of loud speakers for bodily movement therewith, means supported in the upper portion of the stage chamber including elevating cables connected to the unit for normally suspending said unit rearwardly of the stage opening during sound motion picture exhibition, means afiecting the cables for elevat- -ing the unit to the upper portionof the stage chamber for'clearing the stage for other exhibitions, concealed chambers rearwardly of the inner surface of the auditorium housing positioned spacedly from the stage opening, a group of loud speakers in each of the concealed chambers, openings in the auditorium housing between the concealed chambers and the auditorium chamber for conveying sound of the last named groups of speakerstherethrough, sound transmitting cover members in the openings movable relatively thereto, sound motion picture projection apparatus including means for projecting motion pictures onto the screen and means for producing a plurality of channels of reproduced sound-means for selectively connecting the sound reproducing channels to the loud speaker groups for efiecting reproduction of selected sound records by each group, and means for indicating the loud speaker group to which each of the selected sound reproducing channels is connected. I

13. In a sound motion picture theater, housed stage and auditorium chambers connected by a stage opening in the lower portions thereof, a movable sound motion picture exhibition unit comprising a body member supporting a motion picture screen and a group of loud speakers for bodily movement therewith, means supported in the upper portion of the stage chamber including elevating cablesconnected to the unit for normally suspending said unit rearwardly of the stage opening during sound motion picture exhibition, means affecting-the cables for elevating the unit to the upper portion of the stage chamber for clearing the stage for other exhibitions, concealed chambers rearwardly of the inner surface of the auditorium housing positioned spacedly from the stage opening, a group of loud speakers in the concealed chambers, openings in the auditorium housing between the concealed chambers and the auditorium chamher for conveying sound of the last named group of speakers therethrough, sound motion picture projection apparatus including means for projecting motion pictures onto the screen and means for producing a plurality of channelsof reproduced sound, and means for selectively connecting the sound reproducing channels to,

the loud speaker groups for effecting reproduction of selected sound by each group.

14. In a portablesound motion picture exhibi tion unit, a body member having a frame portion, a motion picture screen supported thereby, a loud speaker supporting portion on the body member having loud speakers supported thereby arranged to direct sound through the screen during sound motion picture exhibition, devices movably supported by the body member arranged to receive members for suspending the unit at 4 predetermined and variable stationary suspended positions, and means for bodily moving the de-. vices to predetermined and variable fixed positions with respect to the body member.

15. The combination with a housed stage having a stage opening formed in the lower wall portion thereof, of a sound reproducing unit comprising a structure supporting one or more loud speakers, the unit being normally positioned in the lower portion of the stage cham-.

ber rearwardly of the opening whereby the speakers may direct the reproduced "sound, through the opening, elevating means for raising the unitfrom the normal position to the upper portion of the stage chamber remotely fromthe opening, flexible conductors extending downwardly from the upper portion of the chamber to the loud speakers for supplying sound reproducing energy thereto, means for normally creating a tension in the flexible conductors, the tension creating means also being arranged to tensionly raise the conductors simultaneously with the raising of the unit by the elevating means, and means for securing the lower end portion of the conductors to the unit, the securing means engaging the conductors spacedly from the speaker structure whereby a nontensioned portion of the conductors is formed between the securing means and the speaker structure.

16. The combination with a housed stage having a stage opening formedin the lower wall portion thereof, of a motion picture screen, a supporting member therefore normally positioned in the lower portion'ol' the stage chamber rearwardly of the stage opening whereby motion pictures may be projected onto the screen through the opening, elevating means arranged to raise the supporting member from the normal position to the upperportion of the stage chamber remotely from the opening whereby the stage is cleared for exhibitions other than motion pictures, and means associated with the supporting member operatively connected with the elevating means arranged by operation thereof to angularly displace the exhibiting face of the screen in substantially a vertical plane.

Y energy thereto, means for normally creating a tension in the flexible conductors, the tension creating means also being arranged to tensionly raise the conductors simultaneously with the raising of the supporting member by the elevating means, and means for securing the lower end portion of the conductors to the supporting member, the securing means engagingthe conductors spacedly from the speakers whereby a non-ten'sioned portion of the conductors is formed between the securing means and the speaker structures.

' 18. The combination. with a housed stage having a stage opening formed forwardly in the lower wall portion thereof, one or more loud speakers normally positioned in the lower portion of the stage chamber whereby the sound reproduced thereby may be directed through the stage opening, means for elevating the speakers from the normal position to the upper portion of the stage chamber remotely from the stage opening, flexible conductors extending downwardly from the upper portion of the chamber to the loud speakers for supplying sound reproducing energy thereto, and means normally creating a tension in the flexible conductors, the tension creating means also tensionly elevating the flexible conductors simultaneously with the elevation of the loud speakers by the speaker elevating means.

19. The combination with a housed stage having a stage opening formed forwardly in the lower portion thereof, of a motion'picture screen having one or more loud speakers associated therewith, the screen and speakers being normally positioned in the stage chamber rearwardly of the stage opening for exhibition of sound motion pictures thereby, flexible conductors extending downwardly from the upper portion of the chamber to the loud speakers for effecting reproduction of sound thereby to the accompaniment of the motion pictures exhibited by the screen, means independent of the flexible conductors arranged to raise the screen and loud speakers from the normal position to the upper portion of the chamber whereby the stage and opening will be cleared for exhibitions other than the sound motion pictures exhibited by the screen and loud speakers, and elevating means for raising the flexible conductors independently of the means for effecting the raising of the screen and loud speakers.

20. A light modulating device for association with sound motion picture projection apparatus arranged to advance a sound film therethrough, the film having a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally disposed sound tracks formed thereon which comprises, a housing member arranged to have the film advanced therethrough, means supported therewithin for guidably positioning the film during the movement thereof therethrough, a light sensitive cell unit having a light sensitive cell supported thereby arranged to produce modulated energy impulses as a sound track of the film is moved relatively thereto, means supported within the member for guidably adjustably positioning the unit with respect to the sound tracks on the film, a light source positioned within the member rearwardly of the film for projecting the light rays therefrom through the sound tracks onto the light sensitivecell, and means associated with the unit cooperating with the member for effecting movement' thereof relatively with the guiding means to position the unit in correlation to a predetermined sound track whereby the light rays from the source projected through the film onto the light cell will be modulated by the sound track as the film is advanced through the housing member by the apparatus.

21. A light modulating device for association with sound motion picture projection apparatusv arranged to advance a sound film therethrough, the film having a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally disposed sound tracks formed thereon which comprises, means supported by the device for guidably positioning'the film during the movement thereof through the device, a light sensitive cell unit having a light sensitive cell supported thereby arranged to produce modulated energy impulses as the sound tracks are moved relatively thereto, means supported by the device for guidably positioning the unit with respect to the sound tracks on the film, a light source supported by the unit and arranged to be moved therewith positioned rearwardly of the film for projecting light rays through the sound tracks onto the light cell, and means associated with the unit for effecting movement thereof relatively with the guiding means whereby the unit may be positioned in correlation to a predetermined sound track whereby thelight rays from the source projected onto the light cell through the film will be modulated by the sound track as the film is advanced through the device.

22. A light modulating device for association with sound motion picture projection apparatus arranged to advance a sound record film therethrough, the film having a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally disposed sound tracks formed thereon which comprises, means supported by the device for guidably positioning the film during the movement thereof through the device, a light sensitive cell unit having a light sensitive cell supported thereby arranged to produce modulated energy impulses as the sound tracks are moved relatively thereto, means supported by the device for guidably positioning the unit with respect to the sound tracks on the film, means for resiliently restraining the unit into engagement with the guiding means, a light source positioned rearwardly of the film arranged to project light rays through other side of the guide light rays through the sound tracks thereon, and means associated wit the unit for effecting movement thereof relatively to the guiding means'whereby the unit may be positioned in correlation to a predetermined sound track whereby the light rays of the source projected through the film onto the light cell will be modulated by the sound track as the film is advanced through the device.

23. A light modulating with sound motion picture projection apparatus arranged to advance a sound film therethrough, the film having a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally disposed sound tracks formed thereon which comprises, means supported by the device for guidably positioning the film during the movement thereof through the device, a light sensitive cell unit having a light sensitive cell supported thereby arranged to produce modulated energy impulses as the-sound tracks are moved relatively thereto, means supported by the device for guidably positioning the unit with respect to the sound tracks on the film, a light source positioned rearwardly of the film, and means associated with the unit for. effecting movement thereof relatively to the guiding means whereby the unit may be,positioned in correlation whereby the light rays of the source projected onto the light cell of the unit through the film will be modulated by the sound track as the film is advanced through the device.

24. A light modulating devicefor association with sound motion picture projection apparatus arranged to advance a sound motion picture film therethrough, the film having a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally disposed sound tracks formed thereon which comprises, a film guide portion formed on the device having a film guide formed on one side thereof arrangedto allocate the film during the movement thereof through the device, a light sensitive cell unit having a light sensitive cell supported thereby arranged to produce modulated energy impulses as the sound tracks are moved relatively thereto, a trackway formed on the portion extending transversely of the movement of the film arranged to guide the-movement of the unit during the positioning thereof, a light slit portion formed on the unit arranged to extend through the guide portion whereby the slit therein is positioned in juxtaposition to thefilm, a light source positioned rearwardly of the film for directing the sound tracks thereon to the-light slit whereby movement of the film will produce modulation of the light rays projected through the slit onto the light cell as the sound track is moved relatively to the slit, and means for adjustably positioning the unit to preselected positions on the trackway whereby the light slit therein may a predetermined sound track on the film for rendering the light cell responsive to the modulated light rays is advanced througlfthe device.

25; The combination with sound motion pictrim apparatus arranged to advance sound motion picture action and nously, the sound film having a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally disposed sound tracks formed thereon arranged to efiect reproduction of sound by loud speaker units for accompaniment to the projected action pictures exhibited by the action film, of a light modulating device associated with the apparatus ardevice for association to a predetermined sound track whereby the units may be be positioned in correlation to produced thereby as the film.

sound films synchromousse ranged-to guide the sound film therethrough for effecting reproduction of the sound recorded onto the tracks thereof by the loud speaker units synchronously with the exhibition of-the action pictures correlated thereto, a light sensitive cell unit movably supported by the device arranged to have the light slit thereof positioned relatively to a sound track on'the film for producing modulated energy impulses as the track is advanced relatively tothe slit, means conmeeting the light sensitive cell unit and the loud speaker units for transmitting the energy impulses therebetween whereby the speaker units are rendered efi'ective to reproduce the sound recorded onto the track by which the impulses are produced, means associated with the device for adjustably positioning the light sensitive cell unit transversely with respect to the movement of the sound film whereby the unit may be positioned relatively to a preselected track for rendering the loud speaker units eflective to reproduce the sound recorded thereon to the accompaniment of the projected action pictures as the sound'film isadvanced throughthe device by the apparatus, and means for indicating the sound track to which the light-sensitive cell unit has selectively positioned.

26. The combination with sound motion picture apparatus arranged to advance sound motion picture action and sound films synchronously, the sound film having a plurality of transversely spaced sound tracks formed thereon arranged to efiect reproduction of sound by loud speaker units for accompaniment to the action pictures exhibited by the'action film, of a light modulating device associated with the apparatus arranged to guide the sound record film therethrou'gh for efiecting reproduction of the sound longitudinally disposed action pictures correlated thereto, a light sensitive cell unit movably supported by the device arranged to have the light slit thereof positioned relatively to' a sound track on the film for producing modulated energy impulses as the track is advanced relatively to the slit, means connecting the light sensitive cell unit and the loud speaker units for transmitting the energy impulses therebetween whereby the loud speaker units are rendered efiective to reproduce,the

sound recorded onto the track by which the.

energy impulses are produced, and means associated with the device for adjustably positioning the light sensitive cell unit transversely with respect to the movement of the sound film positioned relatively to a preselected track for rendering the loud speaker units effective to reproduce the sound recorded thereon to the accompaniment of the projected action pictures as the sound film is advanced through the device by the apparatus,

' 2'7. The combination with sound motion .pic-

ture apparatus arranged to advance sound motion picture, action and sound films synchronously, the sound film having a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally disposed sound tracks formed thereon arranged to eflect reproduction ,of sound by-loud speaker units for accompaniment to the action pictures by the action film, of alight modulating deviceexhibited associated with the apparatus, means supported thereby for guiding the sound film therethrough during the movement thereof for reproducing the sound recorded onto the tracks, a plurality of light sensitive cell units movably supported by the device having a light sensitive cell position supporting a light sensitive cell positioned on one side of the film and a light source portion supporting a light source positioned on the other side of the film whereby the light rays from the light source projected onto the cell through the film will be modulated by the sound track for effecting production of modulated energy impulses as the film is advanced through the device, means connecting the light sensitive cell units and the loud speaker units correlated thereto for transmitting the energy impulses therebetween whereby the loud speaker units will be rendered efiective to reproduce the sound recorded onto the sound tracks, means for adjustably positioning the light sensitive cell units relatively transversely with respect to the movement of the sound film whereby predetermined units may be positioned relatively to preselected sound tracks for rendering the loud speakers correlated thereto effective to reproduce the sound recorded thereon to the accompaniment of the exhibited action pictures as the sound film is advanced through the device by the apparatus, and means for indicating the sound track to which the light sensitive cell unit has been selectively positioned.

28. The combination with sound motion picture apparatus arranged to advance sound motion picture action and sound films synchronously, the sound film having a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally disposed sound tracks thereon arranged to effect reproduction of sound by loud speaker units for accompaniment to the action pictures exhibited by the action film, of a light modulating device associated with the apparatus, means supported thereby for guiding the sound film therethrough during the movement thereof for reproducing the sound recorded thereon, a plurality of light sensitive cell units movably supported by the device having a light sensitive cell por- 45 tion supporting a light cell positioned on one side of the film and a light source portion supporting a light source positioned on the other side of the film whereby the light rays from the light source projected onto the cell through the film will be modulated by the sound track for efiecting production of modulated energy impulses as the film is advanced through the device, means connecting the light sensitive cell units and the loud speaker units correlated thereto for transmitting the energy impulses therebetween whereby the loud speaker units will be rendered efiective to reproduce the sound recorded onto the sound tracks, and means for adjustably positioning the light sensitive cell units relatively transversely with respect to the movement of the sound film whereby predetermined units may be positioned relatively to preselected sound tracks for rendering the loud speaker units correlated thereto effective to reproduce the sound recorded thereon to the accompaniment of the exhibited action pictures as the sound film is advanced through the device by the apparatus.

29. The combination with a sound motion picture theater having a plurality of loud speaker units positioned at varied and separated locations therein for directing the sound reproduced thereby into the auditorium of the theater, of sound motion picture apparatus having a light sensitive cell device associated therewith arranged to guide a sound record member therethrough, the member having a plurality of sound tracks formed longitudinally thereon, a plurality of light sensitive cell units supported by the device arranged to produce light modulated energy impulses as the sound tracks are moved relatively thereto during the movement of the member through the vdevice, means connecting the light cell units with correlated loud speakers fo transmitting the light modulated energy impulses to the loud speaker units for reproduction thereby as sound to be accompanied to the motion pictures projected by the apparatus, and means for adjustably positioning the light sensitive cell units with respect to the sound tracks whereby each loud speaker unit may be rendered effecti e to reproduce the sound-recorded onto a difiering track of the record member or all the speaker units, or a portion thereof, may be rendered effective to reproduce the sound recorded onto one track only thereof.

' OSCAR A. ROSS. 

